What are you goals for the rest of this year, and what are your plans, dreams and ambitions for 2022?

This year, I was selected to jump in a few World Cups for the first time, which has been an amazing experience. I am competing in the World Cups in Madrid, London and Mechelen, and having a good result in one would be a great way to end 2021. I am going to CHI Geneva, and as it is my home show, I want to perform really well there. I have been on an upward curve the second part of this year and my goal is to continue this and keep it going. I want to get higher in the rankings – hopefully in the top 50 – that would be a big achievement for me and enable me to jump in some bigger classes. I dream of competing in a Nations Cup. As a proud Swiss and patriot, to wear the red jacket is always something special for me and to have that chance next year would be great. 

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far? 

My proudest moment happened a few years ago when I was 16-years-old, from the outside you may not think that this is the best moment in my career but for me it is. I was at an international U25 show in Chevenez, and as I was 16 my trainer wanted me to jump in the junior Grand Prix; however, I really wanted to jump in the U25 Grand Prix, as I had a wild card to jump in it, and it meant I could also win a wild card to jump at CHI Geneva. All week I was fighting to jump in the bigger class, and my trainer kept on saying it was a bad idea and I should not jump in it; but I fought so hard to jump in the class that eventually he let me enter into it – and I won it and got the wildcard to CHI Geneva! I was riding Cortino 46, and I think it was one of the proudest moments of my career because I felt like I had proved everyone wrong. 

You were (are!) an accomplished junior skier; why did you decide to focus on show jumping? 

I don’t really know why I chose one over the other, as I was really passionate about both sports. But I guess in the end I did have a preference for show jumping, and I have never once regretted choosing it over skiing.

The partnership between horse and rider is incredibly important – is that something that you look for when selling to new owners? 

I think it is very important. When I sold Spirit T to Jessica Mendoza a few years ago, I could instantly see the partnership was going to be successful. Her father, Paul Mendoza, took some more convincing, but I could see how well the horse and rider suited each other, and it has turned out to be an exceptional partnership. Sometimes partnerships do not work out, but I think with enough time and a smart rider, who does not try to force issues, a partnership can develop. Many people now, do not give the horse time or a chance, they pay so much money that they expect instant results. It has never worked like that – a horse does not know how much it costs.

Tickets are still available for the 60th Edition of the CHI Geneva, and after last year’s cancellation this year’s show is one not to miss! As well as the 60th staging of the event, the show will also feature the 20th Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final. 

Spectators will witness some the world’s best equestrian combinations competing in a variety of disciplines including indoor cross country, driving and show jumping; with the pinnacle of the show being Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix. 

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender Daniel Deusser (GER), along with home-crowd heroes, Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat, will be vying for another victory in what is sure to be a masterclass in horsemanship and competition. 

The Rolex Grand Slam is considered by the sport to be the ultimate equestrian challenge, primarily due to the sporting prowess required to achieve this feat. It is a quest taken on by the world’s top riders, vying to secure the legendary status associated with winning the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The format of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is simple: anyone who wins three Majors in a row receives the Rolex Grand Slam trophy and a €1 million bonus on top of the class’s prize-money. If that same rider then continues their success by winning a fourth Major in succession, they will be rewarded with an additional €1million bonus. If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is €500,000 or if an athlete wins only 2 majors in a period of four successive shows, the bonus is €250,000.